India, Aug. 30 -- A day after the rescue effort concluded at the site of the collapsed Ramabai Apartments in Virar east, some residents milled around still in a daze while others hastened to vacate the building complex. These 28 families lived in adjacent wings, their lives potentially at risk. Now, as a precautionary measure, they have been told to move out.

Even as they hauled their belongings out of their homes - the civic body will soon conduct a structural audit of these buildings - residents are still processing the tragedy that hit on Tuesday night. After losing 17 neighbours in the mishap, they are scrambling to find shelter wherever they can.

Sunil Therade is particularly distressed. A resident of the chawl adjacent to the coll...